DePaul alum wins Academy Award

Molly Carter (right), pictured with her husband, Ryan, was a co-executive producer of the Academy Award winning film, "Dear Basketball," and is chief marketing officer of Kobe Inc. She earned her bachelor's degree from DePaul's College of Communication. (Image courtesy of Ryan Carter)

Molly Carter, a 1996 graduate of DePaul's College of Communication, won a 2018 Academy Award for the film, "Dear Basketball." Carter is credited as one of four executive producers for the animated short film. Previously the director of communications for The Gatorade Company, Carter played an instrumental role in helping organize DePaul's inaugural Behind the Scenes with Chicago Sports program.

Written and narrated by Kobe Bryant, "Dear Basketball" is based on a letter Bryant wrote to The Players' Tribune in November 2015 announcing his retirement from basketball.

"Thank you, Molly Carter. Without you, we wouldn't be here," Bryant said during his acceptance speech on March 4.

Also known as the Oscars, Academy Awards recognize artistic and technical merit in the American film industry. Dating back to 1929, awards are given annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence in cinematic achievements.